Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-03


WAsHISGroN. d. C,
Feb &c, 1887. I
INVESTIGATION OF THE TEXAN ELECTION
OUTRAGES
One of the interesting places in Washing
ton during the week has been the room of
the Committee on Privileges and Elections.
where testimony regarding the Texan cleo
ton outrages is being taken. Many wit
nesses have been examined and their evidence
shows the details of shot gun rule. Senator
Eustis of Louisiana is always present and
represents the democratic element and tries
to make the best possible showing of every.
thing. But Senator Spooner, who is a skill
ful questioner generally brings out the truth
and manages to show the true condition of
terrorism which prevails in the election dis
,ricts at the South. One of the witnesses,
Judge Kirk, talked of the outrages and de-
scribed the methods and incidents of conduct
ing democratic campaign with the most
surprising GOODNESS and Indifference And
worse yet, he actually testified that the white
republicans osfracised and intimidated the
negroes where the latter did not vote as the
former wished. Senator Evarts asked the
witness for some samples" of social ostrs-
cism practised by the republicans against
negroes voting the democratic ticket. The
witness cited a number of instances where
the republican negroes had laughed and jeered
at the other negroes, accusing them of "sell-
4 ~ AZ. i.
Senator Evarts inquired, "Are these the
severest instances of ostracism you know of
personality" "Yes, SIR" replied the witness.
Further cross-questionipg ELECTED the fact
that Judge Kirk himself, though a misuse of
his judicial power, was, indirectly, the cause
OF the murder of three colored republicans.
| The whole trouble in a nut shell is Just
this: Washington County. Texas, owing to
the presence of German element, is repub-
| lican. at the last election went republican
| The democrats determined to crush them
out, and with that end in view, seized and
destroyed some of the ballot boxes, murdered
number of the negroes. and served written
notice on several of the republicans to sell
their property and leave town or be killed
There was no alternative, they sold their
|
memorialized Congress. Witnesses. of
course, were summoned for both sides so
that there might be fair hearing. They
hate each other cordially. l observed on
Friday that after one had given his evidence
and stepped down he was met by another who
seemed very angry. They swore at each
other in whispers for few moments, then
both went out, each accompanied by friends.
l thought there was blood on the moon, and
1 walked out with them. The moment they
reached the corridor they clutched each other
by the threats and would have committed
murder had they not been seized BY some Of
| ticials and dragged away furiously shouting
You uns wait until we uns get you uns
back to Texas" mingled with horrible pro-
family.
| SCENES IN THE HoUsE DURING THE DEBATE
on THE DEPENDENT PENSION BILL,
Last Thursday was victorious day for the
Southern Confederacy in the House. The
dependent pension bill was defeated by those
who fought in the rebel army. SO great was
the solicitation of the President that his veto
should be sustained that he used his personal